A NEW WORLD TO EXPLORE
on this, one could be
hauled to the point of
fixation in the crown
of the tree (page 627).
OBSERVING CANOPY
LIFE FROM AN
ARMCHAIR
The seat was fairly
satisfactory, but it
tended to swing about
and bang one against
the tree trunk. In con
sequence we substi
tuted a parachute sling
of the pattern used in
the Royal Air Force.
But this made matters
much worse; it swayed
and gyrated in such an
alarming manner that
it was quickly pitched
to one side. Our men
saved the situation by
making for us a kind
of armchair from for
est sticks and pieces of
empty ration boxes.
This chair answered
our purpose admirably.
One could be hauled in
it with comfort to the
crown of the tree and
remain seated there all
day making observa
tions on the canopy
life. The original in
tention had been to
build platforms in the
branches, but these
observation chairs
proved so comfortable
as permanent lookout
restful were they that
YURURU TREES PRESENT CLIMBING DIFFICULTIES
Though the trunks are straight, the deep grooves make footing un
certain. Here Nature produces a giant's bundle of growing fagots
(see text, page 619).
that we kept them
posts. Indeed, so
sometimes we ac-
cused one another of going aloft to have
a quiet nap!
INTO AN UNKNOWN INSECT KINGDOM
The camp tree was 120 feet high, and
the observation post was established in it
at a height of 8o feet. Of course the tree
was not properly in the canopy, since it
stood alone in the clearing. But its isola
tion was in a way a particular advantage,
especially to the bird observers, for whom
it provided a lookout across the empty
space into the ring of canopy that sur-
rounded the clearing. There was thus a
good view into the canopy, but none over
the forest roof.
Our second invasion of the canopy was
at a site chosen by the entomologists in a
dense and untouched part of the forest be
lieved to be rich in insect life. The tree
was a large morabukea, 16 feet in girth
and 136 feet high. Our Indians climbed the
trunk to the first fork, about 80 feet above
the ground, and passed a line through,
by means of which one end of a rope lad
der was hauled up and made fast at the
fork. The ladder was then hauled out
until it inclined against the tree trunk
somewhat as do the shrouds against the
629